All time greats win all the championships. They also usually have a great cast around them, great coaches, and deep benches.

A team like the Pistons is the only team in the last 30 years or so that didn't have a true "stud", even though Billups was regarded as one of the best players in the league. But they also had a lockdown D w Ben Wallace, Prince, Billups, and Rip. Their bench also went 7 deep.

The Pels need AD23 to be that guy. This team also needs a leader. I don't see anyone on this team that can be that guy at this point. I think that is important when it comes to that next big piece we go after.

I really think people are underestimating Rivers' potential. It seems like every year we keep saying "if that guy could shoot he'd be a stud", so there's no guarantee he'll live up to his potential, but he's got the swagger and the lane penetration ability to be a team leader if he could learn to shoot and finish.

re: Is Vasquez our PG for years to come?(Posted by htran90 on 2/11/13 at 2:02 pm to Jester)

i'd feel more comfortable with trading lopez or smith for a rebounding center.

let AD bulk up over the next few years and transition him to center

draft/pick up a solid SF

we need those positions to improve more than PG. yes he'll get shredded by derrick rose or westbrook. I personally rather have a full roster and have the weakest link be our PG who is above average at best. not bad if you think about it

re: Is Vasquez our PG for years to come?(Posted by TigerinATL on 2/11/13 at 2:12 pm to Jester)

quote:I don't see any possible way that we improve by trading Vasquez.

You'd have to trade him as a move, or part of a series of moves aimed at getting your stud SF and then plan to trade or sign your adequate PG. Like some 3way draft day trade where we get Galinari a 3rd team gets Vasquez and Denver gets someone's draft pick. Then the Hornets either draft a PG or sign someone like Jarret Jack in the offseason. I'm not saying I approve of this plan, but the options at SF are pretty limited so it might take a move like that to get someone better than a Corey Brewer.

re: Is Vasquez our PG for years to come?(Posted by 42 on 2/11/13 at 2:45 pm to Jester)

quote:I think some people are too concerned with a quick fix and making trades for the sake of trades.

Right. There is no quick fix. I think many basketball fans are fans of the the teams they dream up, hence the fascination with trades. The NBA caste system reinforces this.

Still, GV is one of maybe 3 players the Hornets have thatto they woulddream part withof and others would want. That speaks to the topic of the thread whether such a trade would be viewed a good, bad, or otherwise.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. It took Garnett a few years until he reached double digit boards and a few years after that he was leading the league in rebounding. But overall, he didnt get noticeably bigger but definitely developed that old man strength.

re: Is Vasquez our PG for years to come?(Posted by Jester on 2/11/13 at 3:13 pm to TigerinATL)

quote:Then the Hornets either draft a PG or sign someone like Jarret Jack

The draft and Jack are significant downgrades at the 1, in my opinion. Again, you trade our best leader and one of our 3 or 4 best players for a middle of the pack SF with no leadership qualities and a crap shoot at the point

re: Is Vasquez our PG for years to come?(Posted by TigerinATL on 2/11/13 at 3:18 pm to Jester)

quote:The draft and Jack are significant downgrades at the 1, in my opinion. Again, you trade our best leader and one of our 3 or 4 best players for a middle of the pack SF with no leadership qualities and a crap shoot at the point

You are really underrating JJ. I know lots of people hated his style of play, but he's definitely in the same tier as Vasquez, every bit as productive and every bit the leader. The main difference would be Vasquez is still on a rookie deal for one more year, but after that I'd expect them to be in similar salary ranges. But I agree that there aren't many available SFs worth moving Vasquez for.

Cp3 use to get tourched by scrubs in nola a good bit. If best pg in league.gets it done I'm not gonna.expect gravy to not get it done. He's plenty good enough to be pg on top team. Can't carry a team tho. No one on our roster can do that yet. Ad may one day buf that's about it on current roster

re: Is Vasquez our PG for years to come?(Posted by Colonel Flagg on 2/11/13 at 4:22 pm to bearhc)

I think it is also lost that while Vasquez is not as quick as some other PGs he is much bigger than the average PG. He can take advantage of his size on both ends of the court while also being able to switch defenders on bigger opponents.

I think people are just confused with the different style PG we have now that CP3 is gone.

Vasquez has flaws, but so do most starting PGs. Vasquez can score and distribute. He also provides a lot of size at the PG position. He is a great role player and dependable player on our team.